Such a long time since my last post on this blog I know…but it was for a very good reason: a 3-month trip around the world. I’m just back from this incredible experience through Peru, Brazil, Australia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Philippines. If the travel is not the topic of the blog – nevertheless, you can discover all about our itinerary and our favorites on Polarsteps, account: M&S – I wanted to share some memories with you. Even if we mainly chose the places recommended by the locals, few ‘London style’ spots crossed our paths. Here below, my selection of London addresses abroad.

If you miss Shoreditch, its coffee shops, trendy stores and street art – Fitzroy in Melbourne

Home of the hipsters and alternative culture, Fitzroy is a lovely district with some of the best cocktail bars (do not miss Naked for Satan), decoration shops, plenty of restaurants and a super cool atmosphere. It’s also a nice place to spot more confidential street art, even if Melbourne houses a lot interesting streets dedicated to this art, such as Hosier lane and Union lane. Nevertheless it was my favorite place in Melbourne (even though I confess I had a crush for Sydney but I know the rivalry between the 2 cities is a sensitive subject).

The Strand is a beautiful colonial hotel housing an awesome bar, refurbished 3 months ago. It’s a charming and elegant place where we tasted some delicious cocktails, some of them being a house’s speciality for several centuries. We had a crush for the Old Beautiful, the British Desire and the Yangon Gentleman cocktails. The names themselves traduce something of this glorious past. We liked the atmosphere so much that we decided to stay at the bar to try the food from the café: an excellent choice! Did I mention the cook is French? I can’t wait to see it soon in “top 50” bars in Asia: the place definitely deserves it!

To warm up an evening, these 2 bars are the perfect places to see the city from higher.

The Above Eleven in Bangkok offers fusion tapas mixing up Japanese and Peruvian culture. The cocktails are excellent and the food is mouth-watering. I particularly enjoy the terrace and the decoration, the view is not so spectacular but the atmosphere is so good that I recommend it.

view from Above Eleven, Bangkok

The Eon Heli bar is located in the famous Bitexco financial tower in Ho Chi Minh. Unlike the previous tour, you come here for the view… on the Mekong. I regretted there was no terrace and, once again, an excessive AC. Nevertheless, enjoying a cocktail with live music – a pretty good band was playing – and this beautiful view is definitely worth it.

Everyday from 3.00 to 5.30 PM, what the hotel names a ‘chocolate library’ takes place in the bar. More than a tea time – even if a hot beverage and finger sandwiches are included – it’s an hymn to chocolate in all its forms: ice-cream, cakes, macaroons, chocolate fountain and fresh fruits, chocolate nems, fine chocolates… Usually I prefer the salty, but believe me it’s really an experience to enjoy in your life, no one can resist to this beautiful buffet in an exquisite place.